27 February 2009
STORAGES DROP AMID CONTINUED DRY SPELL
A continuation of below average rainfall and streamflows in the past week has seen storages decrease by a further 0.5 %.
Just 0.2 mm of rain fell over the major catchments, compared with the long-term average of 9 mm for the period.
Consequently, streamflows were about 60 per cent below average.
Storages are now 31.1% (551.2 billion litres) full, compared with 35.7% (632.6 billion litres) at the same time last year.
The decrease in storage capacity equates to 9.5 billion litres. For the same time last year, storages fell 7.9 billion litres.
Melburnians used an average of 186 litres each per day - still 31 litres above the target of 155 litres a day, which began on December 1.
More information on restrictions and tips on how to reach the target are available from Target 155 [website no longer available, visit Office of Water for this information] or by contacting the government water retailers.
Stage 3a restrictions and Target 155 are currently in place.
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Media Contact: Andrew McGinnes +613 9235 7277 +61 (0)403 930 846